Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman said the freeze will address the looming $982.4 million budget gap in fiscal 2025, which she says is being driven by “rising personnel, pension, and contractual costs, alongside ongoing revenue challenges.”

It is unclear at this time how long the freeze will last.

“Effective today, we are enacting a series of budgetary restrictions, including a citywide hiring freeze and stringent limitations on non-essential travel and overtime expenditures outside of public safety operations,” she said in a statement.

“These measures, while necessary, reflect our commitment to responsible fiscal management during a time of financial uncertainty,” Guzman continued.